Removable Shoe Cover

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a removable shoe cover and method for using the same. The removable shoe cover includes a front part and a strap that can be used by placing the front part on the anterior of a shoe and securing the strap around the posterior of the shoe to maintain a snug fit. The removable shoe cover leaves the heel of a shoe substantially exposed. The removable shoe cover may also include removable sections on the top side, traction for enhanced protection and performance, and one or more connections for the strap to the front part or within the strap itself.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of shoes and moreparticularly to a means preventing wear and tear in shoes used forskateboarding.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the construction of shoes the sole of the shoe is designed to absorbwear that is normally encountered during walking and running. The upperof the shoe, which surrounds the top of the foot and the ankle, isgenerally made of fabric and is not designed to encounter significantwear. When the upper of a shoe encounters localized wear, the upper maybecome frayed or acquire a hole. However, some activities may causesignificant wear and tear on the sole, in addition to the upper,resulting in premature failure of the shoe. Premature failure of shoesis common in conjunction with children since certain activities thatchildren engage in do cause abrasive wear to various parts of a shoe.

Skateboarding is an example of this type of activity. Certain maneuversinvolving a skateboard require rough contact between a skateboarder'sshoe and the ground and/or a skateboard. This friction can quicklyresult in a hole on the sole or upper of one shoe which would requirepremature replacement of a pair of shoes.

In order to avoid this premature replacement, skateboarders have beenknown to make fabric pads and tape or sew the same to their shoes in thearea where localized wear occurs. These fabric pads quickly wear out andrequire replacement. Another way in which skateboarders have tried tomitigate wear and tear is by using special shoe glue to repair the shoedamage, but this noticeable glue can be messy and perhaps unattractiveto users. Many skateboarders, however, resort to buying new shoes. Thus,it is highly desirable to have a means for preventing the wear and tearof shoes that is durable, adept at preserving the condition of shoes,and less than expensive than replacing shoes.

SUMMARY

The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include aremovable shoe cover having an inner side and an outer side. Theremovable shoe cover comprises a front part for substantially coveringan anterior of an upper and an anterior of an outsole of a shoe. Thefront part also comprises a top side and a bottom side. The removableshoe cover also includes a strap, which is connected to the front partand stretched around a posterior of a shoe to maintain a snug fit. Theremovable shoe cover leaves a heel substantially exposed and uncovered.

The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention also includea method of preventing wear and tear in shoes comprising a step ofplacing a removable shoe cover over a shoe, wherein the removable shoecover, having an inner side and an outer side, comprises a front partfor substantially covering an anterior of an upper and an anterior of anoutsole of a shoe. The front part also comprises a top side and a bottomside. The removable shoe cover also includes a strap, which is connectedto the front part. The removable shoe cover leaves a heel substantiallyexposed and uncovered. The method of preventing wear and tear in shoesof the present invention also comprises a step of securing the straparound the posterior of the shoe to maintain a snug fit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which willbecome more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a top side of an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a bottom side of an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a side view of an outer side of anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side view of an outer side of anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a side view of an outer side of anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a side view of an outer side of anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED MATERIAL

In reference to the drawings, similar reference characters denotesimilar elements throughout all the drawings. The following is a list ofthe reference characters and associated element:

10 front part

20 strap

30 removable sections

40 toe guard

50 inner side

60 outer side

70 top side

80 bottom side

90 shoe

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The drawings show for purposes of further illustration andunderstanding, that the various exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention include a removable shoe cover for preventing wear and tear onshoes. Although all the embodiments as shown in the illustrationsdisplay a left-footed design, embodiments of the present invention alsoencompass a right-footed design.

FIG. 1 displays a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the removableshoe cover of the present invention. A front part lo of the removableshoe cover covers an anterior of an upper of a shoe 90. In using thisexemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front part 10 isplaced on the anterior of a shoe 90, and a strap 20 is stretched arounda posterior of the shoe 90 and secured on the same to ensure a snug fit.In exemplary embodiments, the strap 20 does not cover a heel on the shoe90, and the heel is left substantially exposed. Embodiments of thepresent invention include several different sizes to fit a wide range ofshoes 90.

In an exemplary embodiment, the front part 10 and the strap 20 areconnected on the inner side 50 and the outer side 60. In a preferredembodiment, the front part 10 and the strap 20 form a single, continuouspiece of material. In exemplary embodiments, one or more connectionmeans are required within the body of the strap 20 or between the frontpart 10 and the strap 20. The connecting means may be, for example,Velcro®, snaps, buckles, hooks, or any other similar type of connection.

FIG. 1 also displays removable sections 30 and a toe guard 40. The toeguard is displayed at a tip of the front part 10. The toe guard 40 iscomprised of an advanced traction means. In a preferred embodiment, theadvanced traction means is leather. In other exemplary embodiments, theadvanced traction means is, for example, rubber or a rubber-likematerial. In other exemplary embodiments, this advanced traction meansextends from and is continuous with an advanced traction means on abottom side 80 of the front part 10 of the removable shoe cover. Theadvanced traction means allows for an enhanced performance by offering abetter grip completely around the shoe 90 that skateboarders use toperform their stunts. FIG. 2 shows the bottom side 80 of the front part10 of an embodiment of the removable shoe cover and a bottom of the shoe90. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention whereadvanced traction means is comprised of rubber.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 show exemplary embodiments of the present inventionwith two, one, and zero removable sections 30 in place, respectively. Ina preferred embodiment, the removable shoe cover is initially equippedwith removable sections that can be removed if a user desires.Skateboarders, for example, may enjoy the protection given bynon-removable portions of the front part 10 of the removable shoe coverwhile preferring to have less coverage from the top side 70 of theremovable shoe cover. Other users may prefer easier access to shoelacesor greater foot movement. In exemplary embodiments, the removablesections 30 may be removed by tearing, cutting, or pulling. In exemplaryembodiments, perforations facilitate the removal of the removablesections 30.

In other exemplary embodiments, the removable shoe cover isindividualized by ornamental designs. Image-conscious users may preferto have individualized versions of the removable shoe cover to match theshoe 90 or to differentiate themselves from peers.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as setforth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A removable shoe cover having an inner side and an outer side,wherein said removable shoe cover comprises: a front part forsubstantially covering an anterior of an upper and an anterior of anoutsole of a shoe, wherein said front part comprises a top side and abottom side; and a strap, wherein said strap is connected to said frontpart and stretched around a posterior of a shoe to maintain a snug fit,and wherein a heel is left substantially exposed and not covered by saidremovable shoe cover.
 2. The removable shoe cover according to claim 1,wherein said front part and said strap are connected on the inner sideand on the outer side.
 3. The removable shoe cover according to claim 2,wherein said front part and said strap form a single, continuous pieceof material.
 4. The removable shoe cover according to claim 2, whereinsaid strap is connected to said strap or to said front part by one ormore of a means selected from the group consisting of Velcro®, snaps,buckles, and hooks.
 5. The removable shoe cover according to claim 2,wherein said top side of said front part comprises one or more removablelevels.
 6. The removable shoe cover according to claim 2, wherein saidbottom part of said front part comprises an advanced traction means. 7.The removable shoe cover according to claim 6, wherein said advancedtraction means is comprised of rubber or leather.
 8. The removable shoecover according to claim 2, wherein said front part comprises a toeguard having said advanced traction means, wherein said toe guardsubstantially covers said outer side of said front part.
 9. Theremovable shoe cover according to claim 2 comprising of rubber or arubber-like material.
 10. The removable shoe cover according to claim 2,wherein said removable shoe cover is individualized with an ornamentaldesign.
 11. A method of preventing wear and tear in shoes comprising thesteps of: placing a removable shoe cover over a shoe, wherein theremovable shoe cover, having an inner side and an outer side, comprisesa front part for substantially covering an anterior of an upper and ananterior of an outsole of a shoe, wherein said front part comprises atop side and a bottom side, and a strap, wherein said strap is connectedto said front part and stretched around a posterior of a shoe tomaintain a snug fit, and wherein a heel is left substantially exposedand not covered by said removable shoe cover; and securing said straparound the posterior of said shoe.